Life and Death after ICD Implantation Sep 4, 2008
Randomized trials have established that the prophylactic use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) prolongs survival in patients with left ventricular dysfunction that is due to myocardial infarction1 or associated with heart failure from any cause ... gov] ), compared ICD therapy or amiodarone with placebo in 2521 patients with symptomatic heart failure due to ischemic or nonischemic left ventricular dysfunction. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Quality of Life with Defibrillator Therapy or Amiodarone in Heart Failure Sep 4, 2008
Background Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy significantly prolongs life in patients at increased risk for sudden death from depressed left ventricular function ... Methods In a randomized trial, we compared ICD therapy or amiodarone with state-of-the-art medical therapy alone in 2521 patients who had stable heart failure with depressed left ventricular function. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Prognostic Importance of Defibrillator Shocks in Patients with Heart Failure Sep 4, 2008
ICD shocks that followed the onset of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation were considered to be appropriate. All other ICD shocks were considered to be inappropriate. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Further Analysis From ATHENA Study Showed That Multaq(R)(Dronedarone) Reduced the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Sep 3, 2008
The patients studied in ATHENA were either 75 years of age or older (with or without cardiovascular risk factor) or above 70 years of age with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, previous cerebrovascular event, left atrium size greater than 50 mm or left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40%). Patients were randomized to receive Multaq(R) 400 mg BID or placebo, with a maximum follow-up of 30 months. (PR Newswire)
Sudden Death After Arrest May Be 'New' Syndrome, Study... Sep 3, 2008
"Probably when these young males are captured it is very stressful and their level of catecholamines goes very high and that can finish their life by ventricular fibrillation (cardiac arrest).". Catecholamines are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. (Fox News)
Never normal Sep 2, 2008
Tetralogy means 'four', hence there are four main things wrong with the heart: Sub-pulmonary stenosis: A narrowing below the pulmonary valve Ventricular Septal Defect: A hole in the wall between the ventricles which means that blood can leak from one side to the other Over-riding aorta: The entrance to the aorta, which should only carry oxygenated blood, lies over the VSD allowing the right ventricle to pump some deoxygenated blood directly into it Thick right ventricle: The right ventricle... (BBC News -- Health)
With the BEAUTIFUL Results, Procoralan* (ivabradine) is the First Antianginal Treatment Shown to Reduce Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) and Revascularisation in Stable Coronary Patients Aug 31, 2008
QUICK SEARCH BY ORGANIZATION. FREE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES. (Canada Newswire)
Cooper’s Heart Aug 26, 2008
Cooper is 18 months old and born with this heart defect which causes him to suffer from supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ... This electrical activity is initiated in the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrium of the heart, then passes through the gatekeeper , the atrioventricular (AV) node, to then the bundle of His ... In severe cases, extreme cardiac instability can trigger ventricular fibrillation - uncoordinated contractions of the muscle in the lower chamber (ventricles). (Thomaston Times, GA)
Heart Disease Aug 24, 2008
But it also might result in ventricular fibrillation, in which the heart muscle begins fluttering instead of pumping. If the heart's normal pumping action isn't restored quickly, either through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or the use of an electric defibrillator, death from cardiac arrest is likely. (Time.com)
The connection between work stress, heart issues Aug 21, 2008
If someone would have said ventricular tachycardia, before that day, I would have said gesundheit, said Kalmer, president of William J. Kalmer CLU Ltd., an affilliate of National Financial Partners, based in Austin, Texas. Ventricular tachycardia, which occurs in two out of 10,000 people, is a disruption of normal heartbeat that could cause the heart to become unable to pump adequate blood through the body. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Poor Teen Sleep Habits May Raise Blood Pressure, Lead To CVD Aug 20, 2008
Childhood hypertension is associated with adult hypertension, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, end-organ damage and left ventricular hypertrophy (an enlargement of the heart s main pumping chamber). Part of the problem is the technological invasion of the bedroom with computers, cell phones and music, Redline said. (Science Daily)
PMC uses heart aid device Aug 16, 2008
The device, know as VAD, or ventricular assist device, is now helping Allen's heart along. Two of the devices were employed, an RVAD and a LVAD, one for the right and one for the left ventricle. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
VIDEO: Racing to stop a silent killer Aug 15, 2008
VIDEO Racing To Stop A Silent Killer (from The Herald ). He was, it seemed, a fit and healthy man; a professional athlete at the peak of his powers. (The Herald)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Early Repolarization Aug 14, 2008
To the Editor: In their article on sudden cardiac arrest associated with early repolarization, Ha ssaguerre and colleagues (May 8 issue)1 refer to the definition of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation that is used by the joint steering committees of the Unexplained Cardiac Registry of Europe and of the Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Registry of the United States ... Registries,2 necropsy studies,3 and endomyocardial-biopsy studies4 have shown that concealed myocardial diseases in... (New England Journal of Medicine)
U.S. Hospitals Underutilize Proven Heart Failure Therapy Aug 13, 2008
While clinical trials have shown that CRT helps patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) -- which shows how well the heart pumps -- of 35 percent or less, only 14. 3 percent of the patients with this condition received CRT.. (MEDLINEplus)
Study: Hospitals are underusing cardiac devices Aug 12, 2008
Those guidelines recommended the devices for heart-failure sufferers with a left ventricular ejection fraction, a measure of the heart's pumping strength, of 35 percent or less. While fewer than half of these patients received the devices, 10 percent of patients with stronger hearts got the pacemakers and were likely "over treated," Hernandez said. (Boston Globe)
Cardiac resynchromization: Race, age, geography matter, study shows Aug 12, 2008
Clinical guidelines recommend that CRT be reserved for patients with left ventricular ejection fractions of 35 percent or less. An ejection fraction is a numerical measure reflecting how much blood leaves the ventricle with each heartbeat. (EurekAlert!)
* What a treadmill test can tell you Aug 5, 2008
Though most are benign, a rhythm disturbance after the test called ventricular ectopy is linked to a somewhat raised death rate over the next five years. The bottom line. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
North Iowan awaits heart transplant Aug 5, 2008
Loren Toomsen, of Clear Lake, hopes to soon be rid of the battery-operated Left Ventricular Assist Device that has kept him alive while awaiting a heart transplant ... Toomsen was placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant in July 2007 after undergoing an implant operation for a battery-operated Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), an experimental device that saved his life. (Mason City Globe-Gazette, IO)
Soccer: A fighter for France, and against racism, retires Aug 4, 2008
" The initial alarm was that Thuram had ventricular hypertrophy, the disease that caused the sudden deaths of a spate of soccer players and runners in their prime last year. The fact that he is healthy, and in no need to pursue further riches through professional play, leaves him free to follow the role for which he is uniquely qualified: to use the platform of his game to confront racial tensions in society. Today in Sports "Football," he once said in an interview with The Observer in London,... (International Herald Tribune)
Time to Take Myocardial Reperfusion Injury Seriously Jul 31, 2008
1 Timely and effective reperfusion with the use of either primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy remains the most effective treatment strategy for limiting the size of the myocardial infarct, preserving left ventricular ejection fraction, and improving the clinical outcomes in such patients. However, despite optimal reperfusion therapy, morbidity and mortality remain substantial, with about 5 to 6% of patients having a subsequent cardiovascular event by 30 days. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Mixed Alzheimer's Trial Hard on Wyeth, Elan Jul 30, 2008
However, there was no statistically significant difference in another marker of disease progression, ventricular volume increase ... In imaging tests, however, there was a statistically significant increase in ventricular volume among ApoE4 carriers who took bapineuzumab. (SmartMoney)
Antimicrobial Sutures Reduce Infections In Brain Shunt Surgery, Study Finds Jul 29, 2008
ScienceDaily (July 28, 2008) Children born with hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain" must have shunts implanted to drain the fluid away from the brain to reduce harmful pressure. While shunts do their job well, the rate of shunt infection in children is very high for a variety of reasons, which requires putting the child through another surgery to replace the shunt, bringing with it more hospital time, potential additional neurological complications and an increased risk of death. (Science Daily)
Jaime Richardson | Green Valley NewsScott Sirois, CEO of Desert Diamond Casino, left, shakes hands with Green Valley resident Bill Ryan. In June, Ryan was rescued by Desert Diamond Emergency Medical Technicians after he collapsed with cardiac arrest while playing the blackjack tables. Jul 25, 2008
Heart attacks and other conditions can cause ventricular fibrillation. In ventricular fibrillation, the electrical signals in the lower part of the heart are uncoordinated and ineffective ... If ventricular fibrillation is not treated, it will result in cardiac arrest. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
* Prosecutors delay Yen's stay in jail Jul 24, 2008
Doctors said that Yen, who has a history of heart disease and has a stent fitted in one of his arteries, suffers from ventricular dilation (an enlargement of the hearts lower chambers) in the left side of his heart and blockage of his right coronary artery. The hospital is monitoring Yen in intensive care, doctors said, but his condition is not life-threatening and he could be discharged within a week. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Implanted pumps may help heal ravaged hearts Jul 22, 2008
A few thousand more try to buy time with "left ventricular assist devices" or LVADs, that take over the left ventricle's job of pumping blood through the body, powered by special batteries worn in a fanny pack. Early pumps were too big for many patients and wore out quickly, the longest lasting just over a year. (MSNBC -- Health)
Alaska newborns at higher risk for defects Jul 18, 2008
Chief among those were "atrial septal defects" and "ventricular septal defects" involving holes in the walls of the heart. But Alaska also posted higher than average rates of less common birth defects, such as cleft palates (two times the national average), fetal alcohol syndrome (four times the national average), and Hirschsprung's Disease, characterized by enlarged colons due to bowel obstructions (six times the national average). (Anchorage Daily News)
MRI scan may offer faster way to detect Alzheimer's Jul 14, 2008
Ventricular enlargement as a possible measure of Alzheimer's disease progression validated using the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative database ... Ventricular enlargement may be an objective and sensitive measure of neuropathological change associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), suitable to assess disease progression for multi-centre studies ... This study compared (i) ventricular enlargement after six months in subjects with MCI, AD and normal... (CTV.ca)
Unsuspected Gene Mutation Found For Atrial Fibrillation Jul 13, 2008
13, 2006) Analysis of data from a registry of patients with left ventricular dysfunction indicates that height is an independent risk factor for an arrhythmia of the upper chambers of the heart, according to a. (Oct. (Science Daily)
Biological Marker For Alzheimer's Holds Promise For Earlier Diagnosis And Treatment Jul 13, 2008
Ventricular enlargement as a possible measure of Alzheimer's disease progression validated using the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative database. Brain, July 11, 2008 DOI. (Science Daily)
URMC, FDA to collaborate on national data repository for heart research Jul 13, 2008
The QT interval is a segment of an ECG recording that measures the process of ventricular repolarization the period between the heart's contraction and recovery phase ... Prolongation of the QT interval associated with episodes of fatal ventricular arrhythmias is a leading cause of removal of drugs from the market and was a leading impetus toward international collaboration to develop specialized studies to monitor the QT prolongation effects of new drugs. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Heartbeat Irregularity in Athletes Appears Benign Jul 13, 2008
Elite athletes usually have lower-than-normal heart rates when at rest, but when they are active, some develop rapid heart rhythms known as ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Studies suggest that up to 30 percent of high-level athletes show irregular ventricular rhythms ... Another feature of athlete's heart is an enlargement of the heart's main pumping chamber, known as left ventricular hypertrophy, or LVH.. (MEDLINEplus)
Gender Differences And Heart Disease Jul 4, 2008
For the first time, researchers have uncovered that women derive a lesser benefit than men from two common high-blood-pressure-lowering drugs losartan and atenolol for the reduction of left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) ... (June 21, 2007) Excessive body weight is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the heart muscle in the left ventricle, the heart's pumping chamber. (Science Daily)
Have You Had a Stroke and Dont Even Know It? Jun 30, 2008
Risk factors such as cigarette smoking, diabetes, age, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions including atrial fibrillation (AF) and left ventricular hypertrophy were found to be consistent with the findings of this study. These risk factors had been isolated as a means of estimating the likelihood of stroke over a 10-year period of time in the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile. (MedHeadlines)
10 Percent Of Healthy People In Study Had Injury From 'Silent Strokes' Jun 30, 2008
The factors in the profile are age, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive therapy, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, cardiovascular disease, left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation (AF). All the components of the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile were positively associated with an increased prevalence of SCI. For the first time, researchers found a significant correlation between AF and silent cerebral infarction. (Science Daily)
How To Save A Life With A Defibrillator Jun 28, 2008
When a patient suffers sudden cardiac death as a result of a heart attack, its not the heart attack itself that kills the person - its an abnormal rhythm (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) caused by damage to the heart muscle. A heart that is fibrillating beats ineffectively, like a bag of worms. (CBS News)
At war with Medicaid Jun 27, 2008
They don't really know what damage they do when they cut these services," she said. The family's latest battle with Medicaid is trying to get the state to pay for a upgrade to Keifer's bed that will help to keep him from developing a brain infection, Reynolds said. A ventricular shunt was placed in Keifer's brain at birth and without proper care and drainage it can become infected. "(The state) doesn't label it as medically necessary," she said. Those fighting to change the way Georgia Medicaid... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Electromagnetic Interference From Some Identification Devices May Pose Hazards To Medical Equipment Jun 26, 2008
Hazardous incidents included: total switch-off and change in set ventilation rate of mechanical ventilators; complete stoppage of syringe pumps; malfunction of external pacemakers; complete stoppage of renal replacement devices, and interference in the atrial and ventricular electrogram curve read by the pacemaker programmer. The median (midpoint) distance between reader and device at which all types of incidents occurred was 11. (Science Daily)
Tim Russert: the details about what caused his death Jun 21, 2008
Impulses can become too fast (ventricular tachycardia) or chaotic (ventricular fibrillation). The latter happened to Russert. (Los Angeles Times)
FDA Approves VELCADE(R) (Bortezomib) for Injection for Patients with Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma Jun 21, 2008
Acute development or exacerbation of congestive heart failure, and new onset of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction has been reported, including reports in patients with no risk factors for decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. There have been reports of acute diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease of unknown etiology such as pneumonitis, interstitial pneumonia, lung infiltration and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in patients receiving VELCADE. Some of these events have... (PR Newswire)
Cajah's Mtn. donates land for EMS station Jun 21, 2008
"My only reservation has ever been (that), I don't like giving up our land," he said, adding that Courtner's presentation, which included the statistic that every minute a person's heart is in ventricular fibrillation the chance of death rises 10 percent, made him very much in favor of the proposal. Councilwoman Lois Andes also is excited about the prospect of having an ambulance stationed in the community. (Lenoir News Topic, NC)
Drug Effective against Heart-Lung Disorder Jun 21, 2008
Fainting was the most common adverse event in the bosentan group, and right ventricular failure was the most common in the placebo group. The findings are in the June 21 issue of The Lancet. (MEDLINEplus)
/R E P E A T -- The Montreal Heart Institute presents the findings of an international research project on congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation/ Jun 19, 2008
Contrary to ventricular fibrillation (originating in the ventricles or lower chamber of the heart), atrial fibrillation is rarely fatal but does require treatment as it can lead to severe discomfort, heart failure or stroke. Atrial fibrillation affects roughly 2. (Canada Newswire)
Rhythm Control versus Rate Control for Atrial Fibrillation Jun 19, 2008
Methods We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the maintenance of sinus rhythm (rhythm control) with control of the ventricular rate (rate control) in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less, symptoms of congestive heart failure, and a history of atrial fibrillation. The primary outcome was the time to death from cardiovascular causes. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Serum Sodium Predicts Mortality 10 Times Higher In PAH Patients Jun 18, 2008
3, 2006) Researchers have developed a simple, noninvasive way to measure right ventricular function in the heart to predict survival of adults who suffer from pulmonary hypertension. The research appears in. (Science Daily)
Russert's doctor: Medics tried to revive anchor Jun 18, 2008
His heart was beating then in a ventricular -- fine ventricular fib, and then it deteriorated. They shocked him again. (CNN -- US)
Towering figure in American journalism... Jun 14, 2008
But there was a rupture of cholesterol plaque in the wall of the coronary artery, which results in a heart attack, or what he called a fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Dr. Newman said the autopsy showed that Mr. Russert had an enlarged heart and significant coronary artery disease. (The Drudge Report)
Syntermed licenses Emory imaging technology for improved evaluation of heart failure patients Jun 13, 2008
CRT is used to improve heart function by restoring the correct mechanical sequence of heart contractions in patients with an irregular heartbeat, called left ventricular dyssynchrony ... "We designed this new nuclear imaging software to improve image clarity and to provide additional features and automation that should eliminate variations in interpretation and help physicians more accurately assess patients with left ventricular dyssynchrony." ... The most recent article, in the May 2008 issue... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Governor Rendell Signs Eight Bills Into Law Jun 12, 2008
The new law also says perfusionists may perform extracorporeal circulation, long-term cardiopulmonary support techniques, ventricular assistance, auto-transfusion, blood and blood component conservation techniques, blood and blood component management techniques, advanced life support and other related functions. They may also administer pharmacological and therapeutic agents and may perform anticoagulation monitoring and analysis, as well as blood gas and chemistry monitoring and analysis. (PR Newswire)
ECG Reading May Predict Death, Rehospitalization Risk Jun 12, 2008
They analyzed data from 2,962 patients hospitalized for heart failure who had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF -- a measure of how well the left ventricle of the heart pumps with each contraction) of 40 percent or less. Of those patients, 1,641 had a normal QRS duration (less than 120 ms) and 1,321 had a prolonged QRS duration (120 ms or greater). (MEDLINEplus)
Could Heart Transplants Become A Thing Of The Past? Jun 8, 2008
Most of the devices help the left side of the heart, the powerful pumping chamber known as the left ventricle, so they re called left-ventricular assist devices or LVADs ... More on heart failure and left-ventricular assist devices ... The HeartMate left-ventricular assist device was approved for use in transplant candidates in 2001, and as a destination therapy for long-term use in 2003. (Science Daily)
New technique for heart attacks Jun 8, 2008
No measurement of infarct size of the heart attack or the function of the heart muscle (left ventricular function) was done. This means that they were unable to suggest subgroups in which the procedure may be beneficial. (NHS Choices)
Brain stem cells can be awakened, say Schepens scientists Jun 7, 2008
Until these studies, which were conducted in the adult brains of mice, scientists assumed that only two parts of the brain contained neural stem cells and could turn them on to regenerate brain tissue-- the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ). The hippocampus is responsible for learning and memory, while the SVZ is a brain structure situated throughout the walls of lateral ventricles (part of the ventricular system in the brain) and is responsible for... (EurekAlert!)
Is tap water safe for expectant mothers? Jun 4, 2008
Although the researchers found no direct link between the prevalence of any birth defect and the level of exposure, their calculations revealed that exposure to high levels of by-products substantially increased the risk of three common defects: ventricular septal defects (holes in the heart), cleft palate, and anencephalus (where neural development fails, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp). Exposure to total trihalomethanes above 20 g/L was associated... (innovations report)
'PLoS ONE' STUDY: A Low Dose of Dietary Resveratrol Partially Mimics Caloric Restriction and Retards Aging Parameters in Mice Jun 4, 2008
To assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function as well as structure, we used in vivo M-mode and Doppler echocardiography to examine cardiac function in young (five month-old) control mice and 25 month-old control, CR and resveratrol fed mice ... End diastolic and systolic left ventricular (LV) diameter as well as anterior and posterior wall (AW and PW respectively) thicknesses were measured on line from M-mode images using the leading edge-to-leading edge convention ... Left... (USA Today -- Tech)
Black Athletes' Hearts May Differ from Those of Whites Jun 4, 2008
Such left ventricular hypertrophy, as it is called, is regarded as a sign of heart disease. But the study also challenges that idea -- at least as far as healthy young athletes are concerned, Friedman said. (MEDLINEplus)
New Data Offers Insights Into the Potential Role for TYKERB(R) (Lapatinib) in Non-Cytotoxic Chemotherapy-Based Treatment Regimens Jun 2, 2008
(1) Three patients in the combination arm had an asymptomatic decrease (greater than or equal to 20 percent) in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) that was below the lower limit of normal. One patient had a smaller decline (3 times the upper limit of normal and total bilirubin >1. (PR Newswire)
Medical Center a leader in emergency resuscitation care May 30, 2008
Vassers began her journey with ventricular fibrillation, then crashed. Her heart stopped completely. (Univeristy of Chicago Chronicle, IL)
Ideal Treatment For Potentially Fatal Heart Condition Changes With Age, Research Shows May 28, 2008
In some cases, the dangerous heart rhythm stops on its own, but in others, it deteriorates into a fatal rhythm (ventricular fibrillation). Sudden death will then occur if the heart is not restarted with a defibrillator. (Science Daily)
Sleep Apnea Linked to Heart Risks in Children May 22, 2008
The researchers checked the children's levels of N Terminal pro B type Natriuretric Peptide (NTproBNP), a marker of ventricular strain, and C Reactive Protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation. Compared to a control group of children without OSA, 46 of the children with OSA had significantly higher levels of NTproBNP and of CRP. When the researchers checked 20 of the children in the OSA group three months after their surgery, their average levels of NTproBNP and CRP were less than the control... (U.S. News & World Report)
Cancer Drug May Help Patients With Heart-lung Disease May 22, 2008
Six out of nine had significant improvements in right ventricular ejection fraction, the ability of the heart to pump blood to the lungs ... They had an eight-percent improvement, on average, in right ventricular ejection fraction, as measured by three-dimensional echocardiography ... 3, 2006) Researchers have developed a simple, noninvasive way to measure right ventricular function in the heart to predict survival of adults who suffer from pulmonary hypertension. (Science Daily)
Cancer Drug Helped in Pulmonary Hypertension Study May 22, 2008
Eight out of the first nine patients who took the drug saw improvements in their ability to exercise, and six out of nine had significant improvement in their right ventricular ejection fraction, which measures the heart's ability to pump blood to the lungs ... They saw an average 8 percent improvement in their right ventricular ejection fraction, a measure of the heart's pumping power. (MEDLINEplus)
Catheter Ablation in Patients with ICDs May 22, 2008
To the Editor: We strongly support the rationale for ablation of ventricular tachycardia to reduce implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, described by Reddy et al. (Dec. 27 issue),1 but would caution that risk stratification is essential to identify the subgroups of patients who would truly benefit from ablation in this setting. (New England Journal of Medicine)
ATHENA Clinical Results for Dronedarone (Multaq(R)) Highlighted at the World Cardiology Congress May 21, 2008
The atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter patients studied were either 75 years of age or over (with or without cardiovascular risk factor) or were below 75 years of age with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, previous cerebrovascular event, left atrium size greater than 50 mm or left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40 percent). Patients suffering from decompensated heart failure were excluded from the study. (Canada Newswire)
Tasers can cause heart problems, inquiry hears May 21, 2008
Michael Janusz, a heart surgeon and professor of surgery at the University of British Columbia, told the inquiry that based on his study of available literature on taser use, almost all physicians would conclude that tasers can induce ventricular fibrillation. The hearing was told ventricular fibrillation is an extremely rapid rhythm in the heart's lower chambers, leading to ineffective contractions of the heart ... The hearing also heard from Charles Kerr, another UBC professor and a heart... (Globe and Mail)
